Family members of the late Zita Denholm gather out the front of Myer in Wagga to unveil her plaque on the Wagga Walk of Honour. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
With decades dedicated to presenting young performers the chance to sing, act, play music and even ride horses, the late Zita Denholm has had her work forever immortalised on Wagga’s main street.
In front of the city’s Myer store, Mrs Denholm’s plaque on the Wagga Walk of Honour praises her work.
The Walk of Honour was established in 1998 and recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to the community of Wagga Wagga.
Mrs Denholm began working in Wagga at Mount Erin Girls’ High School as an English and history teacher in 1975. It was there she re-established the Mount Erin Orchestra and organised fundraising concerts to purchase additional instruments.
“Zita helped establish the Wagga Horse Trials Club, served as a Zone Pony Club Chief Instructor, and was an active member of the REA Wagga Dressage Club,” Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout said.
“Zita also taught speech and drama to young children and teenagers, and at the 2024 Wagga Wagga Eisteddfod, she was recognised with a perpetual trophy in her name in the Speech and Drama section.
Mrs Denholm’s plaque can be found outside Wagga’s Myer store. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
“She played a pivotal role in establishing the Riverina Summer School for Strings, which has helped shape the talents of hundreds of students.
“The unveiling is a celebration of Zita Denholm’s commitment and generosity, ensuring opportunities for generations of people to fulfil their own dreams and passions.”
The location of the plaque may appear a little odd at first, but to the Denholm family, it’s a spot where a lot of Zita’s inspiration took place.
“Mum would organise a lot of young people to perform at this very spot,” Zita’s daughter, Madeline Oldaker said.
“I used to think my mum opened doors for people to give them opportunities, but I think she actually went beyond that. She created the doors for people to walk through.
“She was a doer. She was a visionary. What she did, she did for others. It wasn’t for self. It was for others, and it was diverse.
“She would see a wall, and behind that wall would be the opportunity, whatever it was. Whether it’s something to do with horses, to do with music, to do with speech, she wanted to give people the opportunity to get behind that wall.
“If there wasn’t a wall there, she would bloody well build it.
“I think she exemplified what it means to create a community, and what she’s contributed to this community will evolve here, in this special place outside Myer.”
